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Want to breathe some fresh air into your home? Here’s five styling and organisation tips to keep your space as fresh as a daisy.

After being cooped up at home for the better part of two years, there’s no better time than the present to spruce up our interiors as we foray into a new chapter. Whether it’s a tiny tweak, a restyle, or some simple (yet effective) organisation solutions, here are some tips to help you out.

SMARTER, NOT HARDER

Create a more seamless flow in your space by experimenting with moving your larger furniture items around to create a new feel. Consider items that serve a dual purpose such as a sofa bed for when family come to visit or an extendable dining table for entertaining. This will help your space become both practical and purposeful.

For more tips from interior stylist Maryna King, visit myinteriorstylist.com.au

GO GREEN

Fiddle-leaf, philodendron, peace lily or maidenhair, the options to add some colour and life to your space are endless. Plus, they have a multitude of science-backed health benefits! With versatility in shape, texture, height, and care needs, we guarantee there is a plant that will suit your home and make the perfect interior decoration (and centrepiece!). Whether you want to fill a gap, replace a piece of furniture, or simply want to reap the health and wellbeing rewards of plants, be sure to read up on their light and water requirements before you pop to the nursery.

GET INSPIRED

For the tech-savvy, did you know how many visual inspiration platforms there are on the market? Pinterest is one of those fantastic tools that allows you to curate imagery based on particular moods or aesthetics that you love. Remember old-school moodboarding on a cork board? It’s just like that, only digital! Collate design styles that you love, form a colour palette, and take into consideration the styling of your home. The inspirational pictures you can find to curate a mood board are also helpful to determine specific hues and tones to complement your large surfaces like floors and walls!

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CONTAIN IT

Organisation can enhance the aesthetics of your home while offering a functional way of improving the way you go about your daily routine. These days there are a slew of storage solutions to pique your interest. Discard disposable packaging, ditch the pile of shoes at the doorway, and do away with throw blankets haphazardly flung over the lounge. Instead, aim to contain – it’s all about having the luxury to choose how you go about your day and having the agency to improve it.

RUG UP

Like shoes, rugs are often an underrated yet essential element to finessing any ensemble (read: room) from the ground up. Jute, wool, silk, cotton or hide, the right rug not only sets the foundation and tone of a room but also adds ambience and aids acoustics. With the ability to experiment with size, texture, hue, and pattern, your room can evoke warmth, safety, and comfort, offering a facelift for your space. A rug is something that should be purchased with consideration and longevity in mind.

Looking for the full package?

Navigating the ins and outs of the Government’s aged care support landscape to find the elusive Home Care Package can seem overwhelming. We sat down with The Village Home Care Services provider, Ulendo Roode, to find out more about the process and learn why getting an ACAT assessment is an integral step to receiving the in-home support you may need.

What is an ACAT assessment? ACAT stands for Aged Care Assessment Team. This is the assessment completed by a My Aged Care representative to establish the needs for Commonwealth Government funded in-home services and support.

Why is it important to get an ACAT assessment? An ACAT assessment is required to obtain approval for a Home Care Package (HCP) before the appropriate level of funding can be allocated.

So, how do I get ACAT assessed? To qualify, residents need to be over 65 years of age (55 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) and wanting to live independently in their own homes/units for as long as possible. Start by registering your interest with My Aged Care (MAC) and obtaining an AC (aged care) number. MAC will ask several screening questions to ascertain your eligibility and needs. It is important to request a Home Care Package, which is more customisable and comprehensive than the basic/entry level Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). For this, residents will have to demonstrate a higher level of needs i.e., mobility, cognition, medication, past medical history, need for transportation, meal preparation etc. to maintain a good quality of living and to manage their activities of daily living in a safe manner.

Why is the full package so beneficial? The journey past an ACAT assessment will reward you with the full package – you can choose your provider and services to match your changing needs. Securing a HCP is an important safe-guard to enjoy the Village life you love.

What can I do to best prepare? Meet with one of our Care Coordinators to explain the process in more detail and help you prepare a list of needs and risks, to be used as part of your ACAT assessment, which is conducted by a MAC appointed nurse. Our coordinators can also advise on options to pay for services privately until your HCP is approved, if required.

Want to learn more? Contact The Village Home Care Services on (07) 3854 3747 or head to myagedcare.gov.au for more information.